isn't that why the US salaries are higher? move to US get paid fat stacks, then when health suffers you have some more $$$ to stay alive with

Most serious medical costs will far outstrip the increased salary. Usually you use that increased salary to pay some crazy insurance premiums/deductibles.

Nonono spend your fat stacks so you can qualify for Medicare and financial aid faster when the wolves come for everything

In theory. In practice, some health issues costs hundreds of thousands or even millions (cancer, heart bypass...)

The highs are higher and the lows are lower than in other developed countries

Yes and no. Acute health care may be free in Canada, but even here, money has a particularly substantial effect on your quality of life if you're disabled.